Dayvigo (lemborexant)

Dayvigo is a brand-name prescription drug. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat insomnia in certain adults.

With insomnia, you can have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

For details about this condition and how the drug treats insomnia, see the “Dayvigo: Uses” section below.

The following table provides key facts about Dayvigo.

* Controlled substances have the potential to be misused or cause dependence. To learn more, see the “Dayvigo: Questions you may have” section below.

If you’re interested in taking this drug, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.

Dayvigo contains the active drug lemborexant. It only comes as a brand-name medication. And it isn’t currently available as a generic drug.

A generic is an identical copy of the active drug found in a brand-name medication. Generics typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

As with most drugs, it’s possible to have side effects with Dayvigo. These can include some mild side effects, but also some serious ones.

To learn more about Dayvigo’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may also provide information about managing certain side effects of this drug.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Dayvigo, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild and serious side effects of Dayvigo are listed in the table below. This table does not include all of Dayvigo’s possible side effects.

* This is not a complete list of Dayvigo’s mild side effects. To learn about other mild side effects of this drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or you can view the drug’s prescribing information.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Dayvigo’s side effects explained” below.

Most times, mild side effects of a drug go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if any side effects become severe or don’t go away.

Serious side effects from Dayvigo aren’t common, but they are possible. If you have serious side effects, call your doctor right away. However, if you’re having a medical emergency or your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

• Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
• Listen to the person without judgment.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
• Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
• Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide

Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours per day at 800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 800-273-8255.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Below, you can find detailed information about some of Dayvigo’s side effects. To learn more about other side effects of this medication, talk with your doctor. Also, you can see the drug’s prescribing information here.

In clinical studies, sleep paralysis occurred in a few people taking Dayvigo. However, it wasn’t a common side effect.

Sleep paralysis occurs while waking up or falling asleep, when you can’t move or talk. It usually lasts only a few seconds or minutes, but it can still be scary.

Hallucinations may also occur with sleep paralysis. (With hallucinations, you see or hear things that aren’t really there. See the section directly below for more information.)

What to do

To help prevent sleep paralysis, try practicing good sleep hygiene habits. These strategies include going to bed each night around the same time, keeping your bedroom dark, and practicing relaxation techniques. Some relaxation techniques may include stretching before bed, deep breathing, or practicing mindfulness.

Talk with your doctor if you have bothersome sleep paralysis while taking Dayvigo.

Dayvigo can cause hallucinations. Hallucinations can cause you to see, hear, feel, or taste something that’s not there but seems real. In clinical studies, hallucinations were uncommon.

With hallucinations, you may have the following perceptions that aren’t real:

• seeing objects, people, lights, or patterns
• smelling or tasting pleasant or unpleasant scents or tastes
• feeling like something is touching you or moving on your body

What to do

Let household members or your caregiver know that you may experience hallucinations while taking Dayvigo. This will allow them to help if you have any hallucinations with the drug. During an episode, they can offer comfort, remove possible triggers or harmful objects, and use distraction techniques.

If you have hallucinations while taking Dayvigo, talk with your doctor.

In clinical studies, sleepiness was the most common side effect of Dayvigo. It can continue into the next day after you take your dose.

With sleepiness, you may feel less alert, and your reaction time can be slowed. This can impact your daily activities. Your doctor may recommend that you do not drive or operate heavy machinery the day after you take a dose of Dayvigo.

What to do

To help reduce the risk of excessive sleepiness, take your dose of Dayvigo at bedtime when you have at least 7 hours before you plan to wake up.

Taking certain other medications with Dayvigo that also cause sleepiness can worsen this side effect. An example is the seizure drug carbamazepine (Tegretol). Tell your doctor about all of the other medications you take before you start taking Dayvigo.

Here are some common questions about Dayvigo and brief answers to them. If you’d like to know more about these topics, ask your doctor.

Dayvigo and Ambien are both brand-name prescription drugs used to treat insomnia.

However, they belong to different drug classes, which means they work in different ways in your body. (Dayvigo is an orexin receptor antagonist and Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic.) To learn how Dayvigo works, see the “Dayvigo: How it works” section below.

These medications can also cause different side effects. To learn about those of Dayvigo, see “Dayvigo: Side effects” above.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about the differences between Dayvigo and Ambien. They can advise which drug is right for you.

Belsomra, Lunesta, and trazodone are all prescription drugs used to treat insomnia. Zopiclone is a drug that makes you sleepy, but it isn’t approved for use in the United States.

Belsomra and Lunesta are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat insomnia. However, trazodone is prescribed off-label for insomnia, typically in small doses. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

These drugs belong to different drug classes, which means they act differently in the body. This also means they can cause different side effects.

If you would like more information about these medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

No, you probably will not feel “high” (euphoric) while taking Dayvigo. People did not report euphoria while taking the drug during clinical studies.

Talk with your doctor if you experience euphoria or mood changes during Dayvigo treatment. They may recommend that you stop taking Dayvigo or try another treatment option.

Possibly, but you’ll need to talk with your doctor first before taking Dayvigo with Xanax.

Your doctor may recommend adjusting your dosages of both medications. This is because Dayvigo and Xanax have a risk for drug interaction.* Taking these medications together may increase the risk of side effects from Dayvigo, such as excessive sleepiness.

Dayvigo is FDA-approved to treat insomnia. Xanax is approved to treat anxiety and panic disorders, but not insomnia. However, Xanax can be used off-label to help with relaxation before sleep in certain situations. In some cases, it may be prescribed to help certain people with trouble falling asleep.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about Dayvigo and Xanax. They will recommend the treatment that is right for you.

* For more information, see the “Dayvigo: Interactions” section below.

It’s possible. Dayvigo is a controlled substance, which means it has the potential for misuse or dependence. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way that’s not prescribed, typically for a pleasurable effect. With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.)

Sometimes, misuse or dependence can lead to addiction. (With addiction, a drug is taken even if it’s causing harm.)

Dayvigo is a Schedule IV controlled substance. It has a lower risk of misuse or dependence compared with controlled substances with lower schedule numbers.

Having current or past problems with alcohol or substance misuse can increase the risk of dependence or misuse with Dayvigo. If you have concerns about addiction with Dayvigo, talk with your doctor.

It is not likely. Weight gain was not reported in clinical studies in people who took Dayvigo.

Some other medications used for sleep can cause weight gain. This includes mirtazapine (Remeron), which is used as an off-label treatment for sleep. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)

If you experience weight gain while taking Dayvigo, talk with your doctor.

Like other medications, prices for Dayvigo may vary. The drug’s price will depend on factors such as:

• the pharmacy you use
• your insurance coverage

Dayvigo’s cost with insurance may vary between people. Talk with your pharmacist to learn more.

Here’s a list of things to consider when looking into the cost of Dayvigo.

• Option for a 90-day supply. For some drugs, it’s possible to get a 90-day supply. If this option is approved by your insurance company, it can help lower the cost of the drug. It can also help you avoid frequent trips to your pharmacy. If you’d like to learn more about this option, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.
• Need for prior authorization. Before insurance coverage for Dayvigo is approved, your insurance company may require prior authorization. In this case, your doctor and insurance company will communicate about your prescription for Dayvigo. Then, the insurance company will decide if the drug will be covered. To find out if you need prior authorization for Dayvigo, contact your insurance company.
• Possible cost assistance options. Financial assistance to help lower the cost of Dayvigo is available. Eisai Inc., the manufacturer of the drug, offers savings options for this drug. To learn more and see if you’re eligible for support, call 866-DAYVIGO (866-329-8446) or visit the manufacturer’s website. Also, check out this article to learn about ways to save on prescription drugs.
• Use of a mail-order pharmacy. Dayvigo may be dispensed through mail-order pharmacies. Getting your prescription through a mail-order pharmacy could lower its cost. It can also allow you to get the drug without leaving home. To find out more about this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.
• Availability of a generic form.Dayvigo doesn’t come in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Typically, generics cost less than brand-name drugs.

Below, you’ll find dosages that are commonly recommended for Dayvigo. However, you should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your needs.

Most often, doctors start by prescribing the typical recommended dose of Dayvigo. In some cases, they may adjust your dose. Be sure to take the dosage of Dayvigo that your doctor prescribes.

The dosage of Dayvigo that your doctor prescribes will depend on factors such as whether you have liver problems or take certain other medications. Your doctor may lower your Dayvigo dose to help reduce your risk of side effects or interactions with other medications.

Dayvigo is available as follows.

• Form: oral tablet
• Strength: 5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg

Recommended dosage for Dayvigo in adults is described below.

Recommended dosages for Dayvigo in adults include the following.

• Starting dosage: 5 mg once daily
• Maintenance dosage: 5 mg to 10 mg once daily
• Maximum dosage: 10 mg once daily

Below are some things to consider about Dayvigo’s dosage.

• Missing a dose. If you miss a dose of Dayvigo, take your dose only if you can get at least 7 hours of sleep after taking it. If you don’t have at least 7 hours of sleep after you take a dose of Dayvigo, you can have excessive sleepiness the next day. View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm, use a timer, or download a reminder app on your phone.
• Length of treatment. Doctors may prescribe Dayvigo as a long-term or short-term treatment. Dayvigo was taken for up to 1 year by some people in clinical studies. Your doctor will recommend the length of treatment that is safe and effective for you.

Prescription drugs, such as Dayvigo, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain conditions.

Dayvigo is prescribed to treat insomnia in adults. Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which you have trouble sleeping. You may have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. Insomnia can be a short-term or long-term condition.

Some other symptoms of insomnia may include:

• daytime fatigue
• trouble concentrating
• irritability
• low motivation  

Insomnia may sometimes be linked to other health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or overactive thyroid. Also, insomnia can be a side effect of certain medications, such as beta-blockers, corticosteroids, statins, and some antidepressants. In both situations, Dayvigo may not work as well.

Talk with your doctor if you think Dayvigo is not working well for you. They may order a blood test to check for causes of your insomnia. Or they may switch you to a different medication.

Dayvigo is not approved to treat insomnia in people younger than 18 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of Dayvigo in children is unknown.

If you’re interested in taking Dayvigo and would like to find a doctor to prescribe it, visit this page. Here, you can search for nearby healthcare professionals.

You can prepare for your appointment by visiting our appointment guides. Doing so can help you build a list of questions to ask your doctor about insomnia.

You should avoid alcohol while you’re taking Dayvigo. Dayvigo combined with alcohol can increase your risk of side effects, including:

• trouble standing or walking
• problems with your memory
• excessive sleepiness

Your doctor can provide more information about the risks of taking Dayvigo and drinking alcohol. Before starting Dayvigo, talk with your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Dayvigo may interact with other medications, certain supplements, and certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. Some interactions can interfere with a drug’s effectiveness. Others can increase a drug’s side effects or cause them to be severe.

If any of the interactions listed below might pertain to you, talk with your doctor. They can tell you what you need to do to avoid the interaction.

• Dayvigo and certain central nervous system depressants. Because Dayvigo may interact with certain nervous system depressants, your doctor may recommend you do not take it with these drugs. Examples include:
  • benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan)
  • opioids, such as hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone (Roxicodone), tramadol (Ultram)
  • tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
  • alcohol*
• Dayvigo and other medications. Because Dayvigo may interact with the following drugs, your doctor may recommend that you do not take it with these drugs. Examples include:
  • certain blood pressure drugs such as the calcium channel blocker called verapamil
  • certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), rifampin (Rifadin)
  • certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan)
  • the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin)
  • the HIV medication efavirenz (Sustiva)
  • the narcolepsy drug modafinil (Provigil)
  • the pulmonary arterial hypertension drug bosentan (Tracleer)
  • the chronic pain and opioid use disorder drug methadone
• Dayvigo and herbs and supplements. Certain herbs and supplements may interact with Dayvigo. Examples include:
  • St. John’s wort
• Dayvigo and foods. Certain medications interact with foods. Food can slow the effects of Dayvigo. For this reason, you should not take the drug with food or shortly after a meal.

* To learn more, see the “Dayvigo: Consuming alcohol during treatment” section above.

Serious effects can occur if you use more than the recommended dosage of Dayvigo. Do not use more Dayvigo than your doctor recommends. 

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Your doctor will recommend how you should take Dayvigo. It’s important that you take the drug exactly as your doctor instructs.

Dayvigo comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Here’s a list of common questions related to taking Dayvigo.

• When should I take Dayvigo? Take your dose of Dayvigo at bedtime when you have at least 7 hours to sleep. View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm, use a timer, or download a reminder app on your phone.
• Do I need to take Dayvigo with food? It is not recommended that you take Dayvigo with food or soon after a meal. This is because doing so can slow the effects of the drug.
• Can Dayvigo be chewed, split, or crushed? It’s not known whether Dayvigo tablets can be crushed, chewed, or split. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble swallowing tablets. For tips on how to swallow tablets, see this article.
• Is there a best time of day to take Dayvigo? Bedtime is the best time of day to take Dayvigo since it causes sleepiness and starts to work after you take your dose.

Doctors prescribe Dayvigo to treat insomnia. With insomnia, you can have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

Dayvigo belongs to a drug class called orexin receptor antagonists. It works by blocking a brain chemical called orexin. This chemical is thought to be involved in sending signals to your brain to wake up. However, Dayvigo blocks these signals by attaching to the sites in your brain that orexin would normally attach to.

With Dayvigo, your brain doesn’t receive the signals to wake up because orexin can’t attach to the site like usual. This means that by blocking orexin, Dayvigo may help you sleep.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how Dayvigo works to treat insomnia.

Dayvigo starts working soon after you take your dose. You’ll take your dose at bedtime for this reason.

If your insomnia doesn’t improve or becomes worse after taking Dayvigo for 7 to 10 days, talk with your doctor. To learn about situations in which Dayvigo may not treat insomnia, see the “Dayvigo: Uses” section above.

Doctors aren’t sure whether it’s safe to take Dayvigo during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Dayvigo. They can recommend if it is safe for you to continue taking this medication.

You can enroll in Dayvigo’s pregnancy registry if you’re pregnant and take this drug. The registry collects information about the drug’s safety during pregnancy. Call 888-274-2378 or talk with your doctor to learn more about the registry.

Talk with your doctor about your birth control needs with Dayvigo if you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant. Your doctor can recommend if you should use birth control with this medication.

The effects of Dayvigo on fertility have not been studied in humans. (Fertility describes the ability to become pregnant or cause someone to become pregnant. Animal studies showed decreased pregnancy rates in female rats exposed to the drug. The fertility of male rats was not affected by Dayvigo. However, keep in mind that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in people.

If you have additional questions about Dayvigo and fertility, talk with your doctor.

It’s not known if it is safe to breastfeed while taking Dayvigo. Before you take Dayvigo, talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so. They can recommend healthy ways to feed your child.

Tell your doctor about your health history before starting treatment with Dayvigo. Your doctor may not recommend this medication if you have certain factors affecting your health or specific medical conditions.

These factors and conditions include those listed below.

• Older adults. If you’re ages 65 years or older, your risk of certain side effects with Dayvigo could be increased. These may include drowsiness or sleepiness, which can increase your risk for falls. Due to this risk, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose than usual and monitor you more closely during treatment.
• Liver problems. Your risk of side effects from Dayvigo may be increased if you have liver problems. Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of the drug than usual. Or they may prescribe a different insomnia treatment for you.
• Lung or breathing problems. The safety of taking Dayvigo if you have certain lung conditions is unknown. Examples of lung conditions include obstructive sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Talk with your doctor if you have lung or breathing problems.
• Alcohol or substance misuse. Dayvigo has the potential for misuse and dependence as it’s a controlled substance. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen after you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.) Doctors may recommend a different medication for people with current or past alcohol or substance misuse.
• Narcolepsy. Dayvigo can cause sleepiness. Conditions such as narcolepsy can also cause you to feel sleepy. Your doctor will likely not prescribe Dayvigo if you have narcolepsy.
• Allergic reaction. Your doctor will likely recommend you do not take Dayvigo if you’ve had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. To find out about other treatment options, talk with your doctor.
• Pregnancy. The safety of taking Dayvigo while pregnant is unknown. If you’d like to learn more information about taking Dayvigo while pregnant, view the “Dayvigo: Taking while pregnant” section above.
• Breastfeeding. It isn’t known if breastfeeding during Dayvigo treatment is safe. If you’d like to learn more information about taking Dayvigo while breastfeeding, view the “Dayvigo: Taking while breastfeeding” section above.

To learn more about effects of Dayvigo that could be harmful, see the “Dayvigo: Side effects” section above.

Here’s some information about Dayvigo’s expiration date, as well as how to store and dispose of the drug.

• Expiration. Your pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on Dayvigo’s bottle. This date is usually 1 year from the date the medication was dispensed to you. Expiration dates help ensure that a medication is effective during a period of time. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that you avoid using expired drugs. If you have an unused medication and it’s past the drug’s expiration date, talk with your pharmacist. They can let you know whether you might still be able to use the medication.
• Storage. Many factors determine how long a medication remains good to use. These factors include how and where you store the drug. Dayvigo tablets should be stored at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Avoid storing it in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms. The medication should be kept in a tightly sealed container.
• Disposal. It’s important to safely dispose of Dayvigo if you no longer need to take it and have unused medication. Doing so helps prevent others, including children and pets, from accidentally taking the drug. It also helps avoid causing harm to the environment. Ask your pharmacist for information about disposing of Dayvigo. Also, check out this page for several tips on safe medication disposal.

If you have questions about Dayvigo, talk with your doctor. They can help advise you on whether Dayvigo could be a good treatment option for you.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I take Dayvigo with other sleep medications?
• If I have liver or kidney problems, can I take Dayvigo?
• Does age affect how Dayvigo works or increase its side effects?

Your doctor may also tell you about other treatment options for your condition. You may find this selection of videos on sleep helpful.

Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.